[V8] Causes of bad MPG - Part III - the saga continues

[dsaad at icehouse.net]

First off, Bend OR has a lot of V8s. It is a small ski town with a lot of money
- that might have something to do with it. Oddly, Boise has quite a few too.
There are probably 10 or so running around here now. I bought mine in Bend form
the Porsche/Audi dealer, and he sold it new to a local neurosurgeon.
It was a special order because of the 5-speed. (I still have the window sticker)

Second - why go to the hassle of adapting an electric fan when the engine driven
one does such a good job? Just get a new clutch. They are not that expensive,
and no electric fan that fits in that space will have enough cooling power.
You will hate it in the summer with the A/C on.

Third, if you are really getting 12 MPG, something must be wrong.
Having just gone through my second failed distributor cap, I would also suggest
a good look at the ignition system. Mine seemed to run pretty good despite the
fact that one cap was "leaky". The degradation of power was gradual and I didn't
notice in my normal commuter driving mode. However, a new cap has put the zip
back in. I use a lot less throttle now and mileage would probably be better if I
could restrain myself a little :-)
I also block about 3/4 of the radiator in the really cold weather, and went to
5W30 oil. (It is 10F outside right now) I am still getting 15-16 MPG in these
conditions.
Mine also runs OK with the O2 unplugged, but mileage goes down and you don't get
good power since the ECU cannot push fuel or timing out very far.

Dave

Quoting Andrew Schlueter <andyschlueter at 4techwork.com>:

> When I got my v8, the o2 was unplugged. I drove the car for about 2
> months before I was under it and found it was unplugged. No difference
> in mileage when mine was plugged back in. I just replaced it a few days
> ago, I gained about 2-3mpg so I am up to 15mpg. Next is to somehow get
> that engine fan off. Bad clutch. Has anyone put a 2nd electric fan in
> place of the belt driven one?
>
> Andrew W. Schlueter
> '90 V8 MQuattro
> www.westmotorsports.biz
> -----Original Message-----
> From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf
> Of Jason Wilkerson
> Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:51 AM
> To: V8 list
> Subject: Re: [V8] Causes of bad MPG - Part III - the saga continues
>
> Ok guys - the saga contiues.  I haven't switched out the x-pipe yet but
> here is what I have found.  As you know the car set a code for the o2
> sensor.  I re-set the codes and It has not come back with a code as of
> yet
> - but here is the kicker (this is new)- Expecially when cold the car
> will
> start fine, then if you let it idle it will, within 20 seconds, start to
> sputter until it dies.  If you try to drive it you must play with the
> throttle to get it to go.  Once you get it a little warm the problem
> goes
> away.  The car runs great and isn't missing or anything.  It almost acts
> like it is starved for fuel.  It doesn't do this every single time, but
> when it does it will re-start everytime.  I'm thinking maby this happens
> because the o2 circuit is in closed loop on startup then goes to the
> sensor after some time?  Let me throw this in there - I unhooked the o2
> sensor wire this morning - started the car with absolutly no problem -
> we
> will see what it does this afternoon.  Any ideas?  I'm still going to
> change the x-pipe and the o2 just to see what happens - just thought I
> would see what you guys think.
>
>            Thanks,
>                Jason
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